Meet Our Board

Diane Lowery

PRESIDENT (Co-Founder and Cruelty Investigator)
rlowery@panhandle.rr.com

I have always loved horses since I was a little girl and was finally able to buy my first horse, Jiminy Cricket on a payment plan when I was 17.  I went through all the phases through the years, barrel racing, western pleasure and finally just trail riding for relaxation.   One day I ran across an emaciated horse in Molino, FL. and after reporting to the proper authorities and even involving the media, nothing was done and he was taken across the state line to probably die.  While fighting that battle, I was advised to start a horse rescue and so my friend, Linda Lambert and I took the steps to form a non-profit organization which today is well known as Panhandle Equine Rescue.  We’ve had lots of adventures along the way; some rewarding and some very sad.  I have met a lot of people, most of them good, some, well, not so good.  But looking back, it has been worth it to help so many horses and I hope that I will be able to continue this mission for many more years.

Linda Lambert

SECRETARY (Co-Founder and Cruelty Investigator)
spiritrider@panhandle.rr.com

Born and raised in Texas and horses have been a part of my life…. all of my life.  Owned my first horse at age 19.  She was a pitiful white Quarter Horse mare with pneumonia that my granddaddy took to his farm and restored her health.  I had my first taste of neglected horses when I was 12 years old  as I watched horses close to my grandaddy’s farm die of starvation and no authorities would come to help.  Maybe that planted a seed that someday I would be able to help horses and stop this kind of crime. In 2005, Diane Lowery and I decided that we would step out and put together Panhandle Equine Rescue.  It has been a greatly rewarding journey and when asked “Why did I do it?”  I answer, because nobody else was doing it!

Vickie Bell

Treasurer

bell2@frontiernet.net

Have been involved with PER since 2005 and have learned a great deal about the aspects of rescue.   I have always been an animal lover of any type with equines and dogs being at the top of my list.  I’ve been riding since I was 7 or 8 when my grandmother bought me my first horse, a Palamino name Blaze.  He was my best buddy and we were together all the way through high school.

I didn’t go through too many years of not having a horse to call my own and can’t imagine ever going out to an empty barn and not hearing that comforting sound of munching grain or hay and the wonderful scent that only horse lovers can appreciate.

My husband and I love going camping and trail riding when time allows and I currently coordinate PER’s annual Ride for Rescue held at Coldwater stables in March.  This has been a very rewarding event and gives me a great feeling of achievement and I hope to continue being part of this great cause for many more years to come.

Mimi Debroux

warmi@frontier.com

Mimi started riding horses at age 4.  She collected and played with plastic horses instead of dolls.  At age 13, her father agreed to purchase a riding academy horse that she worshiped if she quit biting her fingernails.  She got her horse, named Pride, and rode him in Western Pleasure and Equitation for many years.  He died naturally at age 30.  Pride was probably her first rescue.  Later she purchased an orphan AQHA filly that she raised and trained.  Mimi appreciates  that she can participate in the rescue organization.

Kathy Breakall

ghizmatt@mchsi.com

I have always loved horses, but for years I had to limit that adoration to my sister’s two minis and her Arabian Freedom. When Barbaro ran in the Kentucky Derby and was injured in the Preakness that changed. I became a fan of Barbaro and began to be involved in equine advocacy and rescue across the country with Beauty’s Haven Farm and Equine Rescue in Ocala, Florida, Old Friends and Our Mims Retirement Haven in Kentucky and Beyond the Roses Equine Rescue in Michigan.

I first became associated with PER through the media that reported on a case PER was involved with and began donating on a monthly basis.  After my retirement from the Escambia County School System where I was employed 44 years as an educator and union president,  I decided to become more involved with local rescue and started attending PER events.

Along with 6 other fans of Barbaro, I supported the OTTB, Dr. Decherd who raced against Barbaro and was a national contender until he sustained a suspensory injury and fell in the ranks. We lost DD last year to complications to his injury and adopted a six year old OTTB Flashy Toro in DD’s honor. Toro also was sidelined with track injuries and lives in Texas with his carrot mom, Barbara Lively and has really blossomed this last year. It is amazing what love, food and proper care can do.

As a result of my association with other fans of Barbaro, I have become aware of the many forms of abuse our equines are subjected to and have been actively involved with equine advocacy across the country for 7 years.